CanAssist developing technologies to help people remain independent longer

Latest News

May 11, 2015

Thousands
of British Columbians living with dementia and other challenging conditions will
benefit from innovative new technologies being developed by CanAssist at the
University of Victoria.

Prototypes
of several technologies aimed at helping people stay in their homes for as long
as safely possible were demonstrated May 11 during a funding announcement by
the BC Minister of Health, the honourable Terry Lake. One technology, the
Wandering Deterrent System, uses computer screens that flash personalized video
messages to discourage a person from leaving the house late at night – a fairly
common occurrence among those with dementia.

“The Wandering Deterrent System would not
only allow me to stay in my home longer. It would give me quality of life and independence,” said Jim Mann, who lives
with Alzheimer's disease and was on hand to help demonstrate the system.

“I'm a huge fan of the Wandering Deterrent
System because it is personal – with the caregiver visually suggesting the
action to take – and it's non-intrusive.”

During
the event, Minister Terry Lake announced
$3 million in new funding, which will enable CanAssist to develop a new
innovative technology that will begin benefitting thousands of people across
the province starting in 2016. CanAssist is working with Ministry staff to
determine the theme or focus for this most recent investment in the development
of new and innovative technologies. The
funding will also be used to launch a new online service for individuals and
organizations looking for information about existing and emerging technologies
that help people with a range of disabilities.

In March
2014, CanAssist received $2 million from the Health Ministry for the CanStayHome
program, which will result in a suite of innovative technologies that support
vulnerable B.C. seniors and others to stay in their homes longer, enhancing
their well-being and quality of life, while at the same time reducing pressure
on the province's health system.

The
Wandering Deterrent System is one of the technologies being developed and
tested as part of CanStayHome. Another is the Phone-In Monitoring System, which
allows family members and other caregivers to check in on someone with dementia
remotely, without invasive monitoring equipment and costly subscriptions. The
system uses basic landline phone connectivity already in the home, along with a
small number of sensors. These sensors monitor the individual's presence in
various rooms and also indicate if the door to outside opens. Simply by calling
the home phone and entering a code, the caregiver of a person with dementia
gets a summary of activity, such as: “Mom is in bed and has been there for 30
minutes” or “Mom is in the bathroom; her last activity was detected five
minutes ago” or “There has been no activity for four hours” and so on.

“We can
all relate to the importance of personal independence, which is why government
is committed to ensuring supports for people with disabilities and seniors,”
said Minister Lake. “Funding the development of technology to support
independence so people can stay safely and comfortably at home puts patients'
needs first and contributes to a better quality of life.”

CanAssist
Executive Director Robin Syme said the most recent funding will help her team
extend the benefits of innovative technologies for people with disabilities
across the province.

“Our
team is very excited to work with Ministry staff, as well as the five regional
health authorities, to begin researching and developing innovative yet highly
practical technologies that will benefit many British Columbians and their
families for years to come,” she said.

(Social
Development and Social Innovation Minister Michelle Stilwell and Parliamentary
Secretary for Seniors Darryl Plecas also spoke at the funding announcement.)